ASVAB Paragraph Comprehension Practice Test 553033 Results

Your Results Global Average
Questions 5 5
Correct 0 3.12
Score 0% 62%

Review

1
On Monday, after a long quarter-century, West Virginians said goodbye to their state's 6 percent food tax. Now to see what, if any, business we've been missing. In 1989, retailers warned that sales in West Virginia would go down if legislators imposed a 6 percent tax on food. "Whatever they put on would be passed on to the consumer," Charles Forth, who owned supermarkets in both West Virginia and Ohio, told the newspaper in February 1989. "Six percent is $6 on $100. That will make a difference when people are already hurting and trying to make ends meet." It's a lot easier to drive customers away than to win them back, a fact legislators should bear in mind when it comes to taxation.
The author is _______________ that eliminating the 6 percent food tax will bring customers back to West Virginia stores.
45% Answer Correctly
hopeful
skeptical
confident
denying

Solution
The author cites a local retailer who predicted that sales in West Virginia would go down if the food tax was implemented and, although no facts are given to indicate that sales did in fact go down, the tone of the paragraph implies that the perception is that they have. The author is skeptical that eliminating the food tax will bring customers back claiming "It's a lot easier to drive customers away than to win them back".

2
In 2011, the Ohio Turnpike raised its limit to 70 and recorded its lowest traffic fatality rate ever that year. The higher speed limit attracts travelers to use the safer, limited-access, divided highways of the interstates from more traditional roads. That makes both types of roads safer.
Why does increasing the speed limit on interstates make traditional roads safer?
63% Answer Correctly
More travelers choose to use interstates which reduces the number of cars on traditional roads.
Drivers attracted by the high speed limits of the interstates are reckless and getting them off the traditional roads makes those roads safer.
Only the safest drivers still choose to drive traditional roads because they don't want to drive as fast.
After this change there are more police patrolling traditional roads.

Solution
More travelers using safer interstates increases their safety and reduces traffic on traditional roads. This reduction of travelers on traditional roads make those road safer because there are fewer vehicles on them. None of the other answers relate to the information given in the paragraph.

3
Ohio started the month of July with its pedal to the metal. The Buckeye State became the 34th state to adopt the 70 miles-an-hour speed limit. Drivers can now do up to 70 on more than 570 of Ohio's 1,332 miles of interstate highway. Congress repealed the 55 mph national limit in 1995. Despite predictions of calamity and carnage on the highways, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in October 1998 that "the traffic death rate dropped to a record low level in 1997". That pattern has continued since then.
You can infer from this paragraph that higher speed limits _______________ the traffic death rate.
71% Answer Correctly
increase
reduce
are not linked to
have no impact on

Solution
The paragraph cites research that indicates a long term decrease in the traffic death rate since the national speed limit was repealed in 1995. This lends credence to the opinion that higher speed limits reduce the traffic death rate.

4
"Democracy's real test lies in its respect for minority opinions." - Ellery Sedgwick
Showing respect for a minority opinion _______________ democracy.
67% Answer Correctly
validates
challenges
invalidates
undermines

Solution
If democracy's test is whether or not it respects minority opinions then showing respect for a minority opinion is positive and validates democracy. Each of the other answers paints showing respect for minority opinion negatively.

5
Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating. Short track speed skating takes place on a smaller rink, normally the size of an ice hockey rink. Distances are shorter than in long track racing, with the longest Olympic race being 3000 meters. Races are usually held as knockouts, with the best two in heats of four or five qualifying for the final race, where medals are awarded. Disqualifications and falls are not uncommon. The sport originates from pack-style events held in North America and was officially sanctioned in the 1970s, becoming an Olympic sport in 1992. Although this form of speed skating is newer, it is growing faster than long track speed skating, largely because short track can be done on an ice hockey rink rather than a long-track oval.
What does the author cite as the reason that short track speed skating is growing faster than long-track speed skating?
65% Answer Correctly
Short track speed skating is more exiting due to frequent disqualifications and falls.
Short track speed skating can be played in a more accessible venue.
Short track speed skating is more exiting because of the shorter tracks and knockout race format.
Short track speed skating is newer and appeals to younger skaters.

Solution
The author states that short track speed skating is growing faster than long track speed skating "largely because short track can be done on an ice hockey rink rather than a long-track oval" which implies that the ability to be played in a more accessible venue is fueling its growth.